Soldiers find a mundane, undignified death more unbearable than a heroic one.

Evidence

The subsequent massacre was blamed on the Germans. There are many examples in the history of warfare of atrocities occurring when elite professionals such as these German tercios come up against determined resistance from irregulars. The professionals presumably take it as an affront to their pride. In an assault on one hill, of the 72 casualties on the Christian side, 33 were Germans. From then on no prisoners were taken, and 5,000 Muslims are said to have been killed. — L. P. Harvey, Muslims in Spain, 1500 to 1614, 500 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Elite professional soldiers massacred irregulars after suffering disproportionate casualties — L. P. Harvey, Muslims in Spain, 1500 to 1614, 500; Soldiers found reassurance in ritualized activity rather than actual danger — Julien Gracq, Balcony in the Forest, 194; Desire for mortality involves craving ordinary physical sensations and mundane burdens. — Hilary Mantel, A Memoir of My Former Self- A Life in…, 360 (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• Egyptian soldiers feigned illness to escape front-line duty. #complicates (0.74)
• Elite professional soldiers massacred irregulars after suffering disproportionate casualties #complicates (0.72) — L. P. Harvey, Muslims in Spain, 1500 to 1614, 500